Fish, reptiles and amphibians.

Native fish species are well distributed throughout surveyed streams and rivers in the Tarkine region, along with coastal lagoons and estuaries. Similarly, the Tarkine is rich in frog species, with eight of Tasmania’s eleven frog species occurring in diverse parts of the Tarkine, including in the Tarkine’s rainforests, in Melaleuca swamps and scrub, and in the coastal lagoons and dune systems. Two threatened frog species, the Green and Golden Frog, and the Striped Marsh Frog, both occur in coastal lagoons, marshes and swamps of the Arthur-Pieman plains.

The diverse mosaic of vegetation and rocky habitats from the coast to the tops of the Norfolk Ranges together with a mild climate, provides good habitat for a variety of lizard species in that part of the Tarkine.

The Tarkine is particularly important for freshwater crustaceans – which are of global significance (PWS, 2001). One of the largest freshwater crustaceans in the world, the Tayatea, or Giant Freshwater Crayfish, inhabits the north of Tasmania and the Arthur River catchment – with the Tarkine a stronghold. This extraordinary creature, which can live for up to 40 years of age, and grow up to a metre in length, has been adversely affected by clearing of vegetation and recreational fishing, and is now listed as vulnerable.

Save the Tarkine has commenced an appeal in the Federal Court to challenge the validity of the unlawful Commonwealth approval of the Venture Minerals’ Riley Creek mine in the Tarkine. Please help us fund this important case.

Support Save the Tarkine

Support Save the Tarkine

Join our e-lists to keep updated on how you can support Save the Tarkine.

Supporter sign-up

How has Save the Tarkine’s campaign performed? Get the report card here

A refuge for the Devil

The Tarkine is the home to the last disease free population of the Tasmanian Devil. The Tasmanaian Devil is being pushed to extinction by the fatal Devil Facial Tumour Disease. This disease has been estimated to have killed 80% of the Tasmanian Devil population in the past decade. As such the habitat of the Tarkine is critical to survival of this iconic species in the wild. Threats such as mining, logging and roading place the future of the Devil at risk.

New mines for the Tarkine?

New mines are being proposed for the Tarkine, and the campaign to prevent this onslaught of destruction is heating up. Many of these mines are Pilbara style open cut mines. Early successes in this campaign have seen off mine proposals at Keith River, Riley Creek and Nelson Bay River, but Venture Minerals are intending to press ahead with their proposed tin mine at Mt Lindsay. We will continue the fight to prevent this tragedy.